Open Shop Night at [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes

How often do you get to eat award-winning cupcakes? 

Every so often [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes hosts Open Shop Nights at their commercial kitchen, where you can stop by to eat and buy cupcakes.

This Thursday they will be hosting another one of their fabulous events. If you happen to be near the Chino, CA area on Thursday night, you should definitely swing by. I used to work in Chino, so this would have been perfect for me, but now I don't get out there as often. You can find all of the info you need on the flyer above.

[desi]gn cakes & cupcakes WINS Cupcake Wars

Another local-to-Southern-California cupcake shop wins Young & the Restless episode on Food Network's Cupcake Wars! 

I first encountered [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes at Cupcake Camp IE in 2010. Then Desiree won a competition I judged in 2011 called Sugar Rush. Later that year she was a contestant on Cupcake Wars, but did not win.

Now she's claimed redemption! Last week [desi]gn cakes was on Cupcake Wars again and WON! Congrats to a well-deserved win!

They are BIG news right now, as they also had a two-day pop-up shop at Nordstrom's in Fashion Island last week. Sadly, I was out of town so I could not attend, but I'm sure it was fabulous. 

[desi]gn cakes makes one of the most unique cupcakes I've ever tasted -- buffalo chicken. Yes, you heard me right and it's delicious! I gotta get over to their commercial kitchen in Chino soon so I can try it again.

LA Cupcake Challenge 2012: The Competitors Part 1

18 competitors, some new, some familiar, some winners, some TV stars. Here's the rundown of each competitor and cupcake. I've broken them down into four posts, so it's not overwhelming to see them all at once.

[Desi]gn Cakes & Cupcakes

Riverside, CA (cater)

3rd place winner of Sugar Rush cupcake competition 2011

Buffalo Chicken: Maybe it was because it was the only savory cupcake I ate, but I loved this cupcake. The buffalo chicken that topped the cupcake was awesome!

Churro (not judged)

Bake You Happy

Valencia, CA

Winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars

Chocolate Cherry Licorice: cupcake created on Cupcake Wars. I tried a similar cupcake from them last year and loved it. Still a great cupcake!

Spiced Chocolate: Great cake and great frosting. Loved all the chocolatey goodness!

Butter Sweet Minis

Los Angeles, CA (cater)

Red Velvet: Their cupcakes looked the yummiest! I was excited to try them and they didn't disappoint.

Mint Chip: I liked the flavor combination of the mint and chocolate. Yum!

The Cake Mamas

Glendora, CA

Winner of Cupcake Camp IE 2010

Chocolate Salted Caramel: The butter toffee that topped this cupcake was to die for! I wish I could eat this cupcake every day!

Girl Scout Samoa: tasted just like the cookie. I wish the frosting would have been less whipped and more creamy, but otherwise great.